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FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 1982
HE WENT ON TO SAY THAT THE POPULATION OF SHA TIN WAS RISING BY ABOUT 225 PER WORKING DAY, AND THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF COMMUNITY SPIRIT WAS MOST IMPORTANT.
IN RESPONSE TO COMMENTS MADE BY MR WAI EARLIER,
DR HASE SAID: THE FIRST TASK IN ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY SPIRIT IS TO ENSURE THAT THE NEW ESTATE, WHETHER PUBLIC OR PRIVATE, HAS ALL THE FACILITIES A MODERN POPULATION NEEDS. +
WITHOUT ADEQUATE FACILITIES SUCH AS PUBLIC TRANSPORT, SCHOOLS, POSTAL SERVICE, MEDICAL AND RECREATIONAL, THE INHABITANTS WOULD BE DISSATISFIED AND WOULD WISH THEY WERE LIVING SOMEWHERE ELSE: +NO COMMUNITY SPIRIT CAN EVER ARISE IN SUCH SITUATIONS.
+AS CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE I MUST STRESS THAT WE NEED TO RECEIVE THE CRITICAL COMMENTS OF THE PUBLIC TO DO THIS JOB PROPERLY, + HE SAID,
THE NEXT STAGE WAS TO ENSURE THAT A VITAL COMMUNITY LIFE WAS AVAILABLE NAMELY A FULL RECREATIONAL, SPORTING AND CULTURAL PROGRAMME, HE SAID.
HE SHARED THE VIEW OF MR WAI THAT THE PRESENT SENSE OF BELONGING WAS INADEQUATE, BUT HE ASSURED THE COMMITTEE THAT, NECESSARY ACTION TO IMPROVE THE POSITION WAS BEING TAKEN, AND THAT THE PRESENT POSITION WAS ALREADY SUBSTANTIALLY BETTER THAN IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN.
DR HASE SAID THE DISTRICT BOARD HAD THE STATUTORY RIGHT TO ADVISE ON ALL MATTERS AFFECTING THE WELL BEING OF THE PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT, AND ON THE ADEQUACY OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES AND PLANNING.
+THIS STATUTORY RIGHT CARRIES WITH IT THE RIGHT TO INSIST ON BEING GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY OF ADVISING WHENEVER ANY MATTER ARISES WHICH THE BOARD CONSIDERS AFFECTS THE PEOPLE OF THE DISTRICT, AND ALSO THE RIGHT TO ENSURE THAT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS APPEAR BEFORE THE BOARD TO EXPLAIN WHAT THEY ARE PROPOSING TO ENSURE THAT THE BOARD'S ADVICE IS BASED ON FULL INFORMATION,
+IN ADDITION, THE BOARD HAS THE STATUTORY RIGHT TO DEAL WITH ALL MATTERS CONCERNING COMMUNITY BUILDING WITHIN THE DISTRICT, SETTING POLICY, IMPLEMENTING IT, AND CONTROLL ING WHAT IS DONE,+ HE SAID.
HOWEVER, HE SAID, A GREAT DEAL DEPENDED ON THE UNOFFICIALS ON THE BOARD.
+ IF THEY SIT QUIETLY, UNCRITICALLY, ACCEPTING WHATEVER IS SAID TO THEM, NEVER QUESTIONING OR COMPLAINING, THEN THE BOARD WILL NOT BECOME WHAT WE ALL HOPE IT WILL BECOME.
+WE MUST HAVE VIGOROUS REASONABLE BUT AT THE SAME TIME CRITICAL, VOCAL AND INTERESTED UNOFFICIALS, WILLING TO LOOK INTO PROBLEMS, RESEARCH THEM, WILLING TO LISTEN TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, INTELLIGENT AND SENSIBLE, + DR HASE SAID.
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